The big day is fast approaching, the room is painted and decorated, the layette is washed and the stroller, bought… In short, everything is ready to welcome baby. Everything, really? And the parents ? Have they taken childbirth preparation classes?

If this idea seems absurd to you or if you do not see the usefulness of it, think again, preparing mentally and physically for a childbirth is essential to welcome the baby as well as possible. Here are several good reasons not to skip this step.

You can ask the midwife all your questions

You’ve read all the childcare books that exist on the market, but there are some answers you haven’t found. Worse, you have questions but don’t dare ask them. It must be said that questioning your neighbor or your mother-in-law on intimate matters is a prospect that does not please you …

« There are no silly questions ! », Are used to say midwives. And it is during the preparation for childbirth that you can put them. ” How does it work if I want to go to the bathroom? Should I wax my bikini line? When do you know when to go to the maternity ward? »… As long as you have not asked all the questions that come to your mind, do not allow yourself to leave. Don’t you dare talk about it in a group? Are you telling yourself that there is probably a mom who will be delighted to have you speak up …

You will be more serene during childbirth

Let’s not go four ways: yes, giving birth hurts. Getting a living being out of its bowels involves a minimum of pain. However, the latter is not the same for all and varies enormously from one woman to another. Some people may feel anxious that a baby could go through such a small path.

This is precisely why the preparation for childbirth exists: no longer dreading the D-day. The midwife is there to reassure you, show you what route the baby will take in your body during labor. She will also explain to you how the pain is managed, how the anesthetist applies this famous epidural, with a needle known to be so long. In short, everything is done so that you are serene on the day of delivery.

Advise you on pain management

Pain is inevitable during childbirth. But, good news, it is managed! There are many possibilities to reduce it, even if you do not want anesthesia. Acupuncture, essential oils, massages, homeopathy… Everything will be presented during the preparation and you will see that the choice is wide!

The midwife will also show you how to manage your breathing according to the contractions, which positions to adopt to relieve you or accelerate labor. Balloon, tub and suspension bars will hold no secrets for you! A real physical preparation worthy of a high level athlete. And for good reason, it seems that giving birth requires as much strength and energy as running a marathon.

Allow daddy to find his place

At the risk of being old fashioned, to this day, it takes a sperm to have a baby. Corn for the dad, the mission sometimes ends at conception and, when he lives with the mother, he is more of a spectator of what is happening in her womb.

Fortunately, preparation for childbirth offers her the opportunity to become an actor in childbirth. He will be able to learn to help the mother to manage the pain, in particular by giving her massages. We will explain to him, for example, how he can take the baby out at the last moment with the midwife (if that is possible of course) then how to cut the cord (no risk, it does not hurt the baby!). He will of course be briefed on carrying the maternity suitcase and on the need to drive with caution and flexibility. In short, he will play his role of dad.

Perrine Deurot-Bien

Read also: What really happens during childbirth?